Community Commentary -- Mike Schaefer

On June 9, the Daily Pilot editors stated that something was once

again missing from Costa Mesa this summer, the Fish Fry (Editorial,

“Start work now to revive Fish Fry”). This was one of a few true

statements the editors made in their effort.

Reading the editorial, the Daily Pilot seems to suggest that the Costa

Mesa-Newport Harbor Lions “owe” the community the Fish Fry. They are

saying that the Lions need to make more of an effort to reinstate the

event. They imply that we Lions have not done enough to restart things,

and that we make lame excuses for not having an event this year. They are

“troubled” as to why we did not have the event this year.

They assume that the only reason we did not go forward was due to the

“lawsuit.” They lose sight of the fact that the real “losers” in not

having a Fish Fry is not the paper or those who simply enjoy an Icelandic

Cod dinner. The real “losers” are those organizations and individuals who

we will not be donating to. The benefactors are always the ones who

suffer.

The editors may suffer by not enjoying the pleasures of the event, but

the Lions suffer more by not being able to contribute to the charities,

etc., that were the reason for the Lions putting on the Fish Fry.

Frankly, as the spokesperson and president of the Lions, I am offended

by what I read while having breakfast. The editors did a poor job of

researching the content for their editorial.

Do they really think, or are they again assuming, that I and other

member of our club did not contact any of the City Council? Incredibly,

they have their facts wrong. They are not responsible in making the

statement that no one from our club contacted any council person. I know

for a fact that we talked to members of the council, I did myself. I

worked very diligently with the council’s own Special Events Committee.

That committee was very supportive of our efforts, as was the council.

The fact of the matter is that a reasonable site to hold the Fish Fry was

not found. Lack of effort? I don’t think so.

The Pilot was troubled by my statements, and I assume my lack of

community spirit, in not making sure the event took place. They were

troubled that the Lions did not live up to their promise to having an

event this year. When the event was abruptly canceled last year, my

comment to the media and others was that the Lions would do everything

they possibly could to reinstate this year.

Was the lawsuit the sole reason stopping the event this year?

Certainly not. Has the Pilot investigated some of the other reasons for

not being able to hold the Fish Fry this year? Definitely not.

In a recent letter that I sent to the paper, which was never

published, I explained some of the other obstacles from going ahead with

the Fish Fry. Those included declining membership in our club, the

difficulty in securing a carnival operator, the lack of a truly good site

and, yes, the lawsuit played a huge part in our decision.

As a Lions Club, up to the last minute before the suit was settled, we

were not sure if club assets would be needed to pay damages. The same

assets that in normal years would have been given to charity.

Are we promising to have the event next year as the paper states? No.

Will we once again explore every avenue available in order to continue,

of course we will. Community spirit? Sounds like the Pilot is trying to

break the spirit of an organization that for 57 years donated in excess

of $2 million to the community. Will criticism of the Lions lead to a

revived Fish Fry? Definitely not.

Being involved in the community, helping the community is something

Lions are very good at. We will rebound, we will work to make a

difference. Last time I checked the roster of our Lions Club, there was

no member that represents the Pilot. If someone from the paper would like

to get involved, they can get ahold of me. I would be more than happy to

have them attend a meeting.

If they are so bent on championing the cause of community spirit from

the Fish Fry, join the Lions and make a difference. The editors are sure

willing to pass on their disappointments and distress. Now how about

putting your words into action? If the Lions are to make the Fish Fry

happen again, it will take a lot more than perceived promises. The

community support for the Lions has been outstanding. The Pilot should

join the “community spirit.”

* MIKE SCHEAFER is the president of the Costa Mesa-Newport Harbor

Lions Club.